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A review by melhara
Doctor Who: 12 Doctors, 12 Stories by Eoin Colfer, Charlie Higson, Richelle Mead, Alex Scarrow, Derek Landy, Holly Black, Philip Reeve, Patrick Ness, Marcus Sedgwick, Neil Gaiman, Michael Scott, Malorie Blackman
4.0
Average Rating: 3.625/5
This audiobook contains twelve Doctor Who short stories by various well-known authors, and narrated by assorted narrators.
Disclaimer: the only Doctor Who shows that I've watched featured the First, Second, Third, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Doctors. I've never watched the seasons with the Fourth to Eight Doctors, so can't speak to the accuracy of the characterizations in some of these short stories.
1. A Big Hand for the Doctor (1/5)
This story, written by [a:Eion Colfer|10896|Eoin Colfer|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1254336426p2/10896.jpg] and narrated by [a:Nicholas Briggs|30673|Nicholas Briggs|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1328162927p2/30673.jpg], was pretty disappointing. It features the First Doctor and his granddaughter, Susan.
Unfortunately, I was completely disinterested and had a hard time getting into the story. It wasn't memorable at all. I'm writing this review after finishing the audiobook and can't, for the life of me, remember what happened in this story. All I remember is that the characterization of the Doctor wasn't at all how I remembered the First Doctor.
2. The Nameless City (2/5)
This story, written by [a:Michael Scott|27100|Michael Scott|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1243251417p2/27100.jpg] and narrated by [a:Frazer Hines|363112|Frazer Hines|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], features the Second Doctor and his travel companion, Jamie McCrimmon.
This was better than the previous story, but as far as Doctor Who stories/plots go, it wasn't my favourite as I felt the adventure and excitement was lacking in this one.
3. The Spear of Destiny (4/5)
This story, written and narrated by [a:Marcus Sedgwick|110234|Marcus Sedgwick|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1298204345p2/110234.jpg], features the Third Doctor and Jo Grant.
I very much enjoyed this one, especially compared to the first two stories. The adventure was wonderfully entertaining. I think I really enjoyed this one mostly because I typically love Doctor Who episodes with alternate history stories where the Doctor and his companion(s) visit the past.
4. The Roots of Evil (5/5)
This story, written by [a:Philip Reeve|27379|Philip Reeve|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1436868938p2/27379.jpg] and narrated by [a:Sophie Aldred|376555|Sophie Aldred|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1360481272p2/376555.jpg], features the Fourth Doctor and Leela was highly entertaining and probably my favourite story from the bunch.
I could fully imagine this story as a full-on televised Doctor Who episode, which really speaks to the level of detail, plot twists and adventure that was encompassed in this story.
5. Tip of the Tongue (4.5/5)
This story, written by [a:Patrick Ness|370361|Patrick Ness|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1244216486p2/370361.jpg] and narrated by [a:Nicholas Pegg|54639|Nicholas Pegg|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1306510259p2/54639.jpg], features the Fifth Doctor and Nyssa.
Much like the previous story, I could also imagine this story as a fully televised episode of Doctor Who, featuring strange "truth-telling" creatures. While I very much enjoyed this cute story, I was very disappointed by the lack of presence of the Doctor and his companion.
6. Something Borrowed (2/5)
This story, written by [a:Richelle Mead|137902|Richelle Mead|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1270374609p2/137902.jpg] and narrated by [a:Sophie Aldred|376555|Sophie Aldred|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1360481272p2/376555.jpg], features the Sixth Doctor and Peri Brown.
I didn't find this story particularly interesting or memorable. I think this may be largely due to the fact that I was unfamiliar with the Sixth Doctor, his companions, and the villains from this time period.
7. The Ripple Effect (4.5/5)
This story, written and narrated by [a:Malorie Blackman|172977|Malorie Blackman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1258760862p2/172977.jpg], features the Seventh Doctor and Ace.
Finally! The Daleks make an appearance!!
8. Spore (3/5)
This story, written by [a:Alex Scarrow|577975|Alex Scarrow|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1316760982p2/577975.jpg] and narrated by [a:Nicholas Pegg|54639|Nicholas Pegg|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1306510259p2/54639.jpg], features the Eighth Doctor who was travelling solo and briefly meets/saves a new companion - Evelyn Chan.
This was a good story but I felt like the plot was unoriginal.
9. The Beast of Babylon (4/5)
This story, written and narrated by [a:Charlie Higson|162326|Charlie Higson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1243477698p2/162326.jpg], features the Ninth Doctor and new, temporary companion, Ali.
First of all, I thought the portrayal of this doctor was pretty good, and I quite liked Ali as a companion. This story takes place right after the Ninth Doctor has just met Rose and left her. The event of this story makes him realize that Rose would make an excellent companion and so he travels back to meet up with her before they go off on their adventures that would make up the rest of the television season.
10. The Mystery of the Haunted Cottage (4.5/5)
This story, written by [a:Derek Landy|165168|Derek Landy|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1521215464p2/165168.jpg] and narrated by [a:Ian Hanmore], features the Tenth Doctor and Martha Jones.
I thought this story captured the personalities of the Tenth Doctor and Martha Jones wonderfully. The story was also original, whimsical and full of great adventures. The worldbuilding was fantastic and I wish this story was longer. The was the story wrapped up at the end left me wanting more.
11. Nothing Hour (5/5)
This story, written and narrated by [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg], features the Eleventh Doctor and Amy Pond (definitely my favourite Doctor Who companion ever).
The creep factor was pretty high for this one. The audiobook narration for this one was also excellent and was probably the best narrated story out of the bunch.
12. Lights Out (4/5)
This story, written by [a:Holly Black|25422|Holly Black|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1261867163p2/25422.jpg] and narrated by [a:Samuel Anderson|4305020|Samuel Anderson|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], features the Twelfth Doctor and Clara.
This was a good story and I really enjoyed the interactions between Clara and the Doctor.
***#2 of my 2019 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge - An alternate history novel***
This audiobook contains twelve Doctor Who short stories by various well-known authors, and narrated by assorted narrators.
Disclaimer: the only Doctor Who shows that I've watched featured the First, Second, Third, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Doctors. I've never watched the seasons with the Fourth to Eight Doctors, so can't speak to the accuracy of the characterizations in some of these short stories.
1. A Big Hand for the Doctor (1/5)
This story, written by [a:Eion Colfer|10896|Eoin Colfer|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1254336426p2/10896.jpg] and narrated by [a:Nicholas Briggs|30673|Nicholas Briggs|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1328162927p2/30673.jpg], was pretty disappointing. It features the First Doctor and his granddaughter, Susan.
Unfortunately, I was completely disinterested and had a hard time getting into the story. It wasn't memorable at all. I'm writing this review after finishing the audiobook and can't, for the life of me, remember what happened in this story. All I remember is that the characterization of the Doctor wasn't at all how I remembered the First Doctor.
2. The Nameless City (2/5)
This story, written by [a:Michael Scott|27100|Michael Scott|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1243251417p2/27100.jpg] and narrated by [a:Frazer Hines|363112|Frazer Hines|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], features the Second Doctor and his travel companion, Jamie McCrimmon.
This was better than the previous story, but as far as Doctor Who stories/plots go, it wasn't my favourite as I felt the adventure and excitement was lacking in this one.
3. The Spear of Destiny (4/5)
This story, written and narrated by [a:Marcus Sedgwick|110234|Marcus Sedgwick|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1298204345p2/110234.jpg], features the Third Doctor and Jo Grant.
I very much enjoyed this one, especially compared to the first two stories. The adventure was wonderfully entertaining. I think I really enjoyed this one mostly because I typically love Doctor Who episodes with alternate history stories where the Doctor and his companion(s) visit the past.
4. The Roots of Evil (5/5)
This story, written by [a:Philip Reeve|27379|Philip Reeve|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1436868938p2/27379.jpg] and narrated by [a:Sophie Aldred|376555|Sophie Aldred|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1360481272p2/376555.jpg], features the Fourth Doctor and Leela was highly entertaining and probably my favourite story from the bunch.
I could fully imagine this story as a full-on televised Doctor Who episode, which really speaks to the level of detail, plot twists and adventure that was encompassed in this story.
5. Tip of the Tongue (4.5/5)
This story, written by [a:Patrick Ness|370361|Patrick Ness|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1244216486p2/370361.jpg] and narrated by [a:Nicholas Pegg|54639|Nicholas Pegg|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1306510259p2/54639.jpg], features the Fifth Doctor and Nyssa.
Much like the previous story, I could also imagine this story as a fully televised episode of Doctor Who, featuring strange "truth-telling" creatures. While I very much enjoyed this cute story, I was very disappointed by the lack of presence of the Doctor and his companion.
6. Something Borrowed (2/5)
This story, written by [a:Richelle Mead|137902|Richelle Mead|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1270374609p2/137902.jpg] and narrated by [a:Sophie Aldred|376555|Sophie Aldred|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1360481272p2/376555.jpg], features the Sixth Doctor and Peri Brown.
I didn't find this story particularly interesting or memorable. I think this may be largely due to the fact that I was unfamiliar with the Sixth Doctor, his companions, and the villains from this time period.
7. The Ripple Effect (4.5/5)
This story, written and narrated by [a:Malorie Blackman|172977|Malorie Blackman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1258760862p2/172977.jpg], features the Seventh Doctor and Ace.
Finally! The Daleks make an appearance!!
8. Spore (3/5)
This story, written by [a:Alex Scarrow|577975|Alex Scarrow|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1316760982p2/577975.jpg] and narrated by [a:Nicholas Pegg|54639|Nicholas Pegg|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1306510259p2/54639.jpg], features the Eighth Doctor who was travelling solo and briefly meets/saves a new companion - Evelyn Chan.
This was a good story but I felt like the plot was unoriginal.
9. The Beast of Babylon (4/5)
This story, written and narrated by [a:Charlie Higson|162326|Charlie Higson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1243477698p2/162326.jpg], features the Ninth Doctor and new, temporary companion, Ali.
First of all, I thought the portrayal of this doctor was pretty good, and I quite liked Ali as a companion. This story takes place right after the Ninth Doctor has just met Rose and left her. The event of this story makes him realize that Rose would make an excellent companion and so he travels back to meet up with her before they go off on their adventures that would make up the rest of the television season.
10. The Mystery of the Haunted Cottage (4.5/5)
This story, written by [a:Derek Landy|165168|Derek Landy|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1521215464p2/165168.jpg] and narrated by [a:Ian Hanmore], features the Tenth Doctor and Martha Jones.
I thought this story captured the personalities of the Tenth Doctor and Martha Jones wonderfully. The story was also original, whimsical and full of great adventures. The worldbuilding was fantastic and I wish this story was longer. The was the story wrapped up at the end left me wanting more.
11. Nothing Hour (5/5)
This story, written and narrated by [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg], features the Eleventh Doctor and Amy Pond (definitely my favourite Doctor Who companion ever).
The creep factor was pretty high for this one. The audiobook narration for this one was also excellent and was probably the best narrated story out of the bunch.
12. Lights Out (4/5)
This story, written by [a:Holly Black|25422|Holly Black|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1261867163p2/25422.jpg] and narrated by [a:Samuel Anderson|4305020|Samuel Anderson|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], features the Twelfth Doctor and Clara.
This was a good story and I really enjoyed the interactions between Clara and the Doctor.
***#2 of my 2019 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge - An alternate history novel***